Vibrator



April 16, 1929. E, F'OUTS v 1,709,122

- VIBRATOR Filed July 21, 1926 Patented Apr. 16,1929.

SAMUEL FOUTS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

' VIBRATOR.

Application filed July 21,

This invention relates generally to devices having vibrating parts and to the means thereof for varying the amplitude of vibration of such parts. Although the intention is'not limited thereto, it is designed with spe cial reference and is shown as applied tothose devices or instruments which are known as vibrators and which are intended primarily for massaging purposes.

In the ordinary type of vibrator, the applicator is moved by an eccentric which has a definite and unvaryi-ng throw. This throw may be suilicient or even excessive for treatment of some of the more sensitive organs of the body and yet beentirely insuflicient for some other organs which are more deeply seated.

As applied to vibrators, therefore, it is the object of this invention to make possible the variation of the amplitude of vibration of the applicator at will and in accordance with the nature, sensitiveness and location of the organ undergoing treatment and to effect this variation Without stopping the operation of the vibrator. This variation is effected by changing the throw of the eccentric mechanism, the means used for this purpose be ing of such a nature as will maintain such mechanism locked against further change except as the said means is positively actuated.

IVhile it is realized that the above stated results maybe accomplished by various forms of mechanisms, that shown in the accompanying drawings is my present preferred form, although the appended claims are not in tended to be limited thereto any farther than their specific terms and the ,prior state of the art necessitate. p

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, on the hne 11 of'Fig. 2,,showing the ineansemployed for varying the'eitective throw of the eccentric mechanism and 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Taking up a detailed description of the invention by reference to the drawings, 3 is a shaft which may be rotated by any'suitable means. In the embodiment shown, it is the shaft of the armature 4- ofan electric motor. The drawings show only part of the complete device, it being understood that the casing 5 has a complementary nart so as completely to encase the motor. and theother actuating 1926. Serial No. 123,531.

applicator 8, which latter may be any one of tlu eral forms usually furnished with devices ofthis character. The said stem and applicator are reciprocated by the motor through the variable eccentric mechanism now to be described.

Upon the shaft 3, and preferably integral therewith, is the main eccentric 9; and, surrounding this eccentric, is the auxiliary eccentric 10. The latter is adapted to be turned about the eccentric 9 into any angular position. As shown in Fig. 2, the thickest parts of the eccentrics extend in opposite directions. In other words, the throw of eccentric 9 is to the right while that of the auxiliary eccentric is to the left. When in these relative positions, the two eccentrics tend to neutralize each other; and if the eccentricity of one is exactly equal to that of the other, the neutralization is complete and the eccentricity as a whole is nil. By turning the eccentric 10 about the main eccentric from the position shown, the eccentricity as a whole is gradually increased until, when the throw of both eccentrics is in the same direction, the resultant eccentricity is substantially double that produced by either eccentric alone.

The auxiliary eccentric is preferably pro vided with integral flanges 11 and 12,'thc former extending slightly over one end of the main eccentric and the latter flange scrvto hold the eccentric strap 13 in position. This strap encircles the auxiliary eccentric and is adjustable aboutthe latter by a screw 14: which passes through a lug 15'on one end of. the strap and threads into a similar lug 16 on the other end thereof. On the side of the auxiliary eccentric opposite the flanges 11 and 12 there is an annular plate 17 which overlaps the main eccentric and the strap and holds the parts in position, the plate being, secured to the eccentric by pins or rivets 18, as shown. The eccentric strap is provided opposite the lugs 15 and 16 with a stem 19 which has a ball or head 20, the same forming part of a universal joint with the stem 7 of the applicator. 3

Upon the annular plate 17, and secured thereto by the rivets or pins 18, is the annular driven gear 21 of a Geneva stop, the driving gear 22 of which is secured upon the adjacent end of a short shaft 23. This Shaft extends parallelto the motor shaft 3, being carried by the latter through an arm 24 which is elain"' or otherwise secured to themotor hat-t. is jonrnaled in ms arm and moves in anorbit about the motor shaft. Thus, the shaft 23 always occupies the same position with respect of the main eccentric 9, the. drawings showing the shaft and the thickest part of the eccentric on the same side of the motor shaft, althoughthe arm could be made slightly shorter if it projected in the opposite direction. However, the relative positions of the arm and eccentric are not material. As will be well understood from the nature of the Geneva stop, one complete rotation. of the driving gear 22 serves to turn the annular gear 21 an angular distance corresponding to the are between two of its adjacent teeth. This movement of the gear 21 is, therefore, slow and intermittent; and it would be intermittent even if the driving gear gear is rotated only,when it 'imeter. This disk is, therefore, ad aptcd innerend Within the casing,

But the latter is desired to change the amplitude of vibration, and its rotation is intermittent also. To rotate the were continuously rotated.

driving gear, the short shaft 23 is provided on that end which is opposite the gear 22 with a small disk or 'wheel25, the same being secured to the shaft and being preferably milled or otherwise roughened about its peri both for rotation with its shaft 23 and for revolution about the motor shaft 3.

Mountedfor reciprocation in the casing 5 is a device for causing rotation of the disk 25 and consequent adjustment of the eccentric 10,. It comprises a plunger 26 which is normally retained in its outer position by a coiled spring 27. On its outer end it is provided with a push button or head 28 and, on its with a plate 29. As shown in Fig. 2, this plate moves substantially in contact with a shoulder or abutment 30 of the casing whereby it is prevented from ippin'g or the plunger from rotating, This plate is in the plane of the orbit of the disk 25. On its inner side and facing the orbit is' a pad 81 of readily compressible material, such as rubber. to Fig. 1-, the inner surface of the pad is concaved on a radius which is greater than the radius of the orbit of the outer rim of the disk Normally, the pad is retractedxby the sprin 27 so as to be out of contact with the rapidly revolving disk. When the plunger is depressedslightly, however, the disk is caused to roll against the central part only of the pad and to rotate slightly, 7 driving gear 22 of, the Geneva stop. If lt'lJG desired to adjust the eccentric-s more rapidly, the plunger is depressedfarther, whereby the disk is caused to roll upon a longer are of the'pad, the latter yielding under the pres-' sure of the disk.

By the means thus described, the auxiliary eccentric may be shifted slowly about the main eccentrlc as the vibrator is operated and the adjusting action may be stopped at any in As will be noted by reference I thus turning the.

stant by releasing the plunger. The amplitude of vibration may thus be regulated and.

i fected by depressing the plunger 26 but slight but a. short portion of the ly so as to bring arc of the pad into position for contact with the disk. lVhether the eccentrics be set for small or large amplitude of vibration, the direction of thrust applied to the stem 7 of the applicator is substantially radial from the motorshaft at-the instant of greatest resistance which comes at or near the end of the outer movement of the applicator.

The arm 24, disk 25, shaft 23 and gear 22 are small and lightand have but a slight tendency to unbalance the armature as a whole. If exact balance be desired, the same may obviously be secured by count-er balancing, as by making the lugs'15 and 16 and the screw 14 heavy enough for that purpose.

I :claim 1. In a vibrator, a rotatable shaft, a main ecc ntric connected with said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric mount-ed upon and encircling the main eccentric, a vibratory part, connections between the auxiliary eccentric and said part for vibrating the latter as the shaft is rotated, a driven member of a Geneva stop securedtothe auxiliary eccentric, a driving member of the Geneva stop meshing with the driven member thereof, means for supporting said driving member from the rotatable shaft, and means for turningthe said driving neinberuponits own axis to adjust the auxiliary eccentric about the main eccentric.

2. Ina vibrator for the purpose described, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating applicator connected with the auxiliary eccentric, and means operable at will for causing the rot. tion of said shaft to effect movement of the auxiliary eccentricabout the main eccentric whereby to regulatethe amplitude of vibration of said applicator.

3. In a vibrator for the purposedescribed,

within the casing, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a Geneva stop device having its driven element connected with the auxiliary eccentric, and means mounted upon the casing and operable at will to cause operation of the Geneva stop device thus to turn the auxiliary eccentric upon the main eccentric to regulate the amplitude of vibration of the vibrating element.

5. In a vibrator, a casing, a rotatable shaft within the casing, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected with the auxiliary eccentric, the drivenclement of a Geneva stop device connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a shaft supported from the rotatable shaft and revoluble in an orbit about the latter, the driving element of the Geneva stop device secured to said reveluble shaft and meshing with the said driven element, and means mounted upon the casing and operable at will to cause the rotation of the revoluble shaft thus to turn the auxiliary eccentric upon the main eccentric, for the purpose specified. V

6. In a vibrator for the purpose described, a casing, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encir cling the main eccentric, a vibrating applicator connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a device mounted upon the casing and movable atthe will of the operator, and connections between said device and the auxiliary eccentric for causing the latter to be adjusted about the main eccentric when said device is moved, whereby the amplitude of vibration of the applicator is varied.

7. In a vibrator, a casing, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encirclin the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a disk supported from the rotatable shaft and revoluble in an orbit about the latter, a device mounted upon the casing and movable at the will of 'theoperator into po-' sition to contact the disk as it revolves whereby the latter is turned upon its own axis, and means connecting the disk and the auxiliary eccentric for turning the latter upon the ma n eccentric, for the purpose specified.

8. In a vibrator, a casing, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected. with the auxiliary eccentric, a disk supported from the rotatable shaft and revoluble in an orbit about the latter, a shaft to which said disk is non-rotatably secured, at Geneva stop device connecting the latter shaft with the auxiliary eccentric, and means supported from the casing and n'iovable at will into position for contacting the disk as it revolves in its orbit whereby the auxiliary eccentric is adjusted about the main eccentric, specified.

' 9. In a vibrator, a casing, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling .the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a disk supported from the rotatable shaft and revoluble in an orbit about the latter, an element supported from the casing and elongated in the plane of said orbit, means whereby said element may be moved at will into position for contacting the disk as it revolves in its orbit, and means connecting the disk and the auxiliary eccentric for turning the latter upon the main eccentric, for the purpose specified.

10. In a vibrator, a casing, a rotatable for the I purpose "shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a disk supported from the rotatable shaft and revoluble in an orbit about the latter, a pad of yieldable material supported from the casing in the plane of said orbit, means whereby said pad may be moved at will into position for contacting the disk as it revolves, and means connecting the disk and the auxiliary eccentric for turning the latter upon the main eccentric, for the purpose specified.

11. In a vibrator, a casing, arotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating member connected with the auxiliary eccentric, a disk supported from the rotatable shaft and revoluble in an orbit about the latter, a pad of yieldable material supported from the casing and elongated in he plane of said orbit, said pad being concaved on its face toward the orbit on a radius greater than the radius of the orbit, means whereby the said pad may be moved at will into position for contacting the disk as it rcvolves in its orbit whereby the disk is caused to roll upon the pad, and means connecting the disk and the auxiliary eccentric for turning the latter upon the main eccentric, for the purpose specified.

12. In a vibrator for the purpose described, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric encircling the main eccentric, an applicator, connections between the auxiliary eccentric and the applicator, and means operable at will for causing the rotation of said shaft to effect an adjustment between the main and the auxiliary eccentrics for varying the amplitude of movement of the applicator.

13. In a vibrator for the purpose described, a casing, a rotatable shaft journaled in said casing, a main eccentric rigidly attached to said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric mounted upon and encircling the main eccentric, an applicator, connections between the auxiliary eccentric and said applicator for moving the latter as the shaft is rotated, and means extending between the main and auxiliary eccentrics for varying the amplitude of movement of the applicator.

1 L In a vibrator for the purpose described,

a casing, a rotatable shaft journaled in said casing, a main eccentric r1g1dly attached to said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric mounted upon and encircling the main eccentric, an

applicator,connections between the auxiliary eccentric and said applicator for moving the latter as the shaft is rotated, a manually operable control-ling device extending without the casing, and means connected with the auxiliary eccentric and actuated through the controlling device when it is operated for tric is thereby positively locked to the main eccentric in all p'ositionsto Which it may have been moved. 7 v a r In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification.

SAMUEL E. FOUTS. 

